Hot-Fill Polymeric Container Base Inversion Before Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hot-fill methods for polymeric containers, such as PET bottles, result in an internal vacuum that can cause denting and damage during handling and cooling, as the base inversion occurs after the container has cooled, leading to inefficient handling and potential spillage.
Innovation Solution
Mechanically invert the base of the polymeric container before the heated product cools to create a positive pressure within the container, using an inversion device to move the base while the product is still at an elevated temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the base is inverted after the container has cooled, then the container can be sealed and stored, but an internal vacuum develops causing denting and damage during handling
Solution Approach 1:
The base is inverted before the container cools down, creating positive pressure to prevent vacuum formation. This preliminary action of base inversion prior to cooling prevents the harmful internal vacuum from developing during subsequent handling and cooling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies counter-action in advance by inverting the base before cooling to create positive pressure that opposes the harmful vacuum effect. This preliminary anti-action prevents the vacuum from causing denting and damage during handling.
2Ease of operation
If the base is inverted after cooling, then the container structure is stable, but handling becomes inefficient and spillage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The base inversion is performed before cooling while the container is still warm and flexible, creating positive pressure that prevents spillage during handling. This timing improves handling efficiency by avoiding the need to handle cold, rigid containers that are prone to spillage.
3Force
If the base is inverted while the material is flexible at higher temperatures, then less inversion force is required, but the container must be handled carefully during cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The invention exploits the temperature-dependent flexibility of the polymer material. At higher temperatures during hot-filling, the material is flexible and requires less inversion force. The base is inverted during this warm state, and the subsequent cooling creates vacuum pressure that maintains the inverted position without requiring additional force.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method creates a positive pressure that reinforces the container, reducing the risk of denting and damage during handling and cooling, while also minimizing spillage and overflow upon opening, and requires less inversion force due to the material's flexibility at higher temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
heated product cooling to create a positive pressure in the container
Implementation Method 2
the container begins to cool, which causes an internal vacuum to develop within the container
Data Source
AI summary
A method for hot-filling a polymeric container with heated product. The method includes mechanically inverting a base of the polymeric container prior to the heated product cooling in order to create a positive pressure within the container prior to cooling, and a vacuum in the container after cooling.